‘Proud Moment’: Garba Dance of Gujarat Included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

The Garba dance from Gujarat has been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity.

The adding of Garba inscription underscores Garba’s pivotal role as a unifying force that fosters social and gender inclusivity, a government statement said on Wednesday.

According to UNESCO, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate the diversity of this heritage and raise awareness about its importance.

Garba of Gujarat is the 15th ICH element from India to join this list. Garba as a dance form is entrenched deeply in ritualistic and devotional roots, involving people from all walks of life and it continues to thrive as a vibrant living tradition bringing communities together.

The Gujrati dance has been inscribed in the list of ICH of Humanity under the provisions of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage during the 18th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from 5th -9th December, 2023 in Kasane, Botswana.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said Garba’s inclusion in the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list is a proud moment for Gujarat and the country and is an honour given by the world to the ancient culture of India.

Union Minister of Culture, Tourism & Development of North Eastern Region Shri G Kishan Reddy in a X post said that this listing is testimony to the tireless efforts of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to showcase our rich culture, traditions and heritage to the world.